Shamokin News-Dispatch

Presented is an advertisement printed in the Shamokin News-Dispatch announcing the addition of FM radio service to WISL Radio in 1968. WISL-FM is now WBLJ-FM.
Original advertisement printed in the Shamokin News-Dispatch September 17th, 1968

The Anthracite coal region of Pennsylvania has produced some of the finest athletes our country has known. In high school football, our schools are frequent winners of regional and state championships and nobody knew those teams and their coaches better than Bernie Romanoski.
No WISL Hall of Fame entry would be complete without a little background history. Bernie was born on August 25th 1922, was a 1941 graduate of Coal Township High School and was a lifelong resident of the Shamokin-Coal Township area. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and reached the rank of Sergeant. He served in both...

Growing up in the Shamokin and Mount Carmel area, it's likely that when you hear someone say "Letters To Santa" it brings a warm feeling to your heart. It may bring back memories of preparing your letter for Santa, probably with the help of your Mother or Father, and then either mailing it to WISL Radio (a.k.a. The North Pole) or going with Mom or Dad to drop it off at a local business, who would make sure it would get to Santa, then racing home from school, or maybe waking up extra early to hear Santa Clause read your letter live on WISL Radio.
The program was "Letters To Santa"...

A couple months ago we were introduced to Tom Kollins and had the pleasure of spending some time on the phone reminiscing about his days at WISL. Tom provided a wealth of knowledge, some fascinating recordings and just plain good conversation. We are honored to present to you the Tom Kalinowski story.
Thomas Kalinowski's involvement with WISL radio goes back farther than anyone we have been able to interview for the WISL Hall of Fame. He was only 12 years old in 1948 when he auditioned with the Kelly Bogetti Orchestra for a live music spot at the station. Tom says that Kelly Bogetti billed...

Presented are a series of classic radio commercials for the Sun Ray Drug Store in Shamokin. Recorded in the early 1970's, these feature some familiar voices from the WISL airwaves including Dave Leonard, Dennis Edwards, Tom Kutza and more. These spots not only highlight the creative talent at WISL but also the good humor and lighthearted nature of Dave Donmoyer from Sun Ray. Thanks to Dave Leonard (Dave Horjnacki) for digging out these hilarious commercials.
Sun Ray Drugs - 11 o'Clock Low
Sun Ray Drugs - A Day at the Dentist
Sun Ray Drugs - Baseball
Sun...

Fire tore through the WISL Transmitter site located on Big Mountain on February 17th 1968 completely destroying all equipment and forcing the station of the air for a brief period of time. Below is an article published in the Shamokin News-Dispatch on February 19th 1968, the Monday following the fire. Thanks to Heather Sharp-Makal for uncovering this newspaper clipping.
On the same day that this article was published WISL also ran a nice sized ad proclaiming that the station would be back on the air shortly and thanking the listeners for their support and patience.
Amazingly within...

In 1953 WISL was celebrating five years of radio broadcasting in Shamokin. To commemorate the occasion Radio Anthracite, parent company of WISL, took out a full page ad in the Shamokin News Dispatch. The advertisement touts an award they received from the Pennsylvania Week Radio and Television Committee, a special fifth anniversary cash contest sponsored by National Dime Bank and the first official announcement of Radio Anthracite's intentions of opening and operating a television station in Shamokin.
The Federal Communications Commissions was assigning new UHF television stations across the country...